PolyCast Evergreen, Season 2
Celebrating a decade of podcasting, a look-back at the show's second season: ten selected topics that most retain their relevance and ten moments that best represent delivery style. Hosted by show co-creator Wouter "Locutus" Snijders.
Discuss This Special | Stream This Special | Mobile Quality Runtime: 32m:27s | Filesize: 15.5MB Release Date: December 24th, 2008 Hosts: DanQ, Makahlua, Imran Siddiqui, Cartimandua, GarretSidzaka, Impaler[WrG], bt_oz, ruff_hi
Episode 59: Not Just a Lame Clip Show
- 02m41s | Miscellaneous
On what is generally different in playing Civilization IV against other humans versus the Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- 04m58s | Research Lab
Adjusting Civ cities' tax rate city-by-city.
- 06m25s | Forum Talk
Workers won't stop building forts in Civ IV.
- 09m51s | Senate
The timing of promotions not always being immediate, and on Guided Missiles being underpowered.
- 18m47s | Forum Talk
How much do you write down on your Civ games, lack of diverse gameplay in Civ IV: Colonization, on Civ IV: Beyond the Sword Quests in general, and is it ever worth a rush expansion to complete a Quest.
- 37m00s | Senate
On the combination of the Woodsman III and Medic promotions.
- 41m47s | Miscellaneous
What ismemorable from 2008 in the Civilization world.
TRIVIA: Show's first composite episode of archived segments
Episode 58: You Don't Want To Know
- 03m04s | News
The what, where, when and why for CivCon '09has been announced officially.
- 08m33s | Forum Talk
Things that defy logic in Civilization IV: Colonization.
- 13m34s | Senate
How much of an occupation army is sufficient, what's up with the Machine Gun unit, Combat vs. City Garrison vs. Drill promotions and unwritten laws about Civilization IV.
- 31m55s | Miscellaneous
The lowdown on the "EEN Headline News" series.
Episode 56: Recording for Posterity
- 05m14s | Senate
Which Constitutional freedom is most important to you in Civilization IV: Colonization.
- 07m16s | Forum Talk
Proposed unique bonuses for Civilization IV religions, do you rework tiles of newly conquered areas, case for a Financial Crisis event in Civ IV: Beyond the Sword and Workers in a pack or alone.
- 22m29s | Vault
On the gameplay experience that is Civilization: Revolution.
- 29m58s | Mailbag
Requiring more than a technology to found a Civ IV religion.
- 35m15s | Vault
Three recent Civ IV gameplay experience recounts.
Episode 55: It's Expulent
- 03m45s | Mailbag
The team responds to a detailed email from Sal "Thorburne" Serio who takes some exception to the anti-"realism" position in the Civilization series.
- 28m59s | News Civilization IV: Colonization developer Firaxis Games and publisher 2K Gamessponsoring a modding contest for the game, and the same two companies releasing new downloadable content -- also known as DLC -- for Civilization: Revolution.
- 34m47s | Senate
A call out to anyone using the so-called Theology slingshot.
Episode 53: How Do Hotcakes Sell?
- 05m39s | News
Profiles on both the French and Spanish nations in Civilization IV: Colonization, the Civ4Col official website launched and system specifications disclosed, and Take-Two Interactive experiences some financial success in the third quarter of this year.
- 12m55s | Forum Talk
No events or quests in Civ4Col, why Civilization IV can't have the "fun nature" of Civilization: Revolution [Vault], and Tank and Anti-Tank units in Civ IV: Beyond the Sword being backwards.
- 28m21s | Senate
The approach to disbanding old units in Civ IV.
- 33m43s | Miscellaneous
What actors and actresses would you have in a live-action movie based on Civ (IV specifically).
- 37m14s | Research Lab
Older units that are not upgraded striking in the later Civ game.
The First 50: Moments Never Heard Before
- 02m20s | The List
The countdown begins: #50-34.
- 08m57s | Discussion #1
Sid Meier on Episode 50 and the 2007 Christmas Special "Girls Playing Civ" (plus a Pre-Pilot Flashback).
- 12m29s | The List
The countdown continues: #33-16.
- 19m27s | Discussion #2
Worst episodes todate, co-hosts numbers and on the Pre-Pilot (plus another Pre-Pilot Flashback).
- 22m40s | The List
The countdown rolls on: #15-11.
- 24m45s | Discussion #3
The first fourth regular co-host, another worst episode to date and guest co-hosts (plus the next Pre-Pilot Flashback).
- 28m00s | The List
The countdown begins its Top 10: #10-4.
- 32m52s | Discussion #4
Listening, recording and editing the show (plus yet another Pre-Pilot Flashback).
- 37m53s | Discussion #5
Reaching 50 episodes and things being said (plus one more Pre-Pilot Flashback).
- 40m41s | The List
The countdown concludes: #3-1.
INFO: First appearance of Annalee "Cartimandua" Barney as permanent fourth regular co-host
Focus: "Civilization IV: Colonization" with Firaxis Games
- 02m33s | People
Sixteen year industry veteran Mike Bates (Civ4Col Lead Artist), third-year Firaxis Games employee with seven years beta testing prior Ed Piper (Civ4Col Designer) and one-hundred-plus gaming title credits Jesse Smith (Civ4Col Producer).
- 11m10s | Design
When and why Firaxis decided to do a remake of Colonization, design philosophy for Civilization IV: Colonization, design familiarities to both Col and Civilization IV in the latter and interface work by Firaxis intern and longtime Civilization community member Ken "Impaler[WrG]" Ferland.
- 18m49s | Gameplay (1 of 3)
Primary gameplay differences between Col and Civ4Col, new and tweaked buildings and/or resources, tiers of super-specialists and notable abscence of a technology tree.
- 26m56s | Gameplay (2 of 3)
Colonies covering multiple tiles, targeting particular Founding Fathers by playstyle, religion's role, how the new Constitution feature works and the extensiveness of the game's Diplomacy mechanisms and how they compare to the game's predecessor.
- 36m20s | Gameplay (3 of 3)
Native tribe traits, colonial powers' leader traits, rationale for not including more than four colonial nations, behind the limited game length, resolving historical accuracy versus gameplay conflicts and in-game automation capabilities.
- 43m42s | Combat
Combat system mechanics, on siege units, addressing combat failings of Col, and what of naval warfare.
- 50m00s | Graphics
Art style targetted and responding to public criticisms already raised about the 'Colony' screen.
- 57m26s | Miscellaneous
Moddability including interoperability with CivIV, music selection (and the related worldwide exclusive on this show), (re-)playing the original Colonization, most difficult elements to design in Civ4Col, possibilities of covering other areas of so-called Age of Discovery next and what question hadn't been asked yet that should have been and its answer.
Discuss This Feature | Stream This Feature | Mobile Quality Runtime: 70m:35s | Filesize: 33.8MB Release Date: August 15th, 2008 Hosts: DanQ, Locutus, Impaler[WrG] | Interviewees: Mike Bates, Ed Piper, Jesse Smith
EXCLUSIVE: Includes Civ4Col information never before publicly disclosed EXCLUSIVE: Worldwide premiere of the Civ4Col theme music
Episode 50: That's What The Tank Said to the Spearman
- 03m06s | Civilization Series (Part 1)
Public reception to Civilization: Revolution to date as well as its very successful North American release and accolades for its game controls and interface. Future modding prospects in the series a la Civilization IV and playing on square vs. hex grids.
- 11m03s | Civilization Series (Part 2)
Possibilities of Civ having a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) incarnation, Civ reflecting society, conducting historical research and Sid's Civ playstyle: warmonger, builder or in combination.
- 19m21s | Sid's Games
Pursuing original and revisiting existing Intellectual Property (IP), new IP hints, goals in designing Alpha Centauri and how hard it can be for game developers to sell their ideas to publishers.
- 26m00s | Strategy Gaming
Having Artificial Intelligence (AI) mimick human-like analysis 'in the moment', returning strategy to less complex and more streamlined gameplay.
- 31m24s | Miscellaneous
On controversy over violence in videogames, reactions of close family and friends to entering the gaming industry, feedback provided by Sid's wife and son into his games, three favourite PC games not from his company and if only able to take one by himself to an exotic island, and the question he always wanted to be asked but hadn't and its answer.
TRIVIA: Meier's first audio interview with a Civilization fansite
Focus: "Civilization: Revolution" with Jason 'Jason2K' Bergman
- 01m32s | General
Pre-and-post-release responsibilities as Lead Producer on Civilization: Revolution, being the publisher internal producer on titles from Firaxis Games, CivRev playtesting, the introduction to the Civ series and now having worked on a title in it.
- 07m30s | Platforms
The lack of a Civilopedia for and barebones manual on the DS version, other console port options and future PlayStation 3 platform support.
- 15m18s | Gameplay
Favourite civilization to play as, responding to criticism of aggressive CivRev Artificial Intelligence (AI), the 2100AD game end limit and explaining the Histograph symbols.
- 21m13s | Content
Possibilities for an Earth and larger seed maps, chances for custom single-player games, the CivRev scenarios and multiple aspects of Downloadable Content (DLC).
- 27m11s | Reflection
Most and least satisfying aspects of CivRev, increasing interest in the PC Civ line-up and lessons learned from CivRev's development.
- 35m08s | GameSpy
How and why the multiplayer service for the PlayStation 3 version was chosen.
- 35m47s | Miscellaneous
Most memorable CivRev games to date, starting in the gaming career and his own venture, lurking on Civ fansite and official forums and feedback on the CivGameoftheWeek.com effort.
Episode 49: Jump Right Into This
- 06m26s | News
Information and screenshots on Civilization IV: Colonizationfrom this year's E3 gathering, and is thegame morally "offensive".
- 18m34s | Research Lab
A listener suggested topic: playing Civilization on a hex instead of a square grid.
- 23m46s | Forum Talk
Why Civilization IV's governors are so bad and no Trophy support for Civilization: Revolution gamers on the PlayStation 3.
- 32m23s | Senate
Placing your Forbidden Palace National Wonder or not at all.
Yak "Civilization: Revolution"
- 01m26s | Akash
A search engine visit led Akash to the site and the contest, though now seems to think he'll be famous.
- 12m03s | "Cybexx"
A new visitor to the site and listener to this podcast, Galen "Cybexx" Ryder found the contest to his liking.
- 14m43s | "Fadingbeano"
The fiancee of Craig "Fadingbeano" apparently tries to make fun of him in taking this call.
- 21m24s | "joebreeves"
The Civilization enthusiast that is Joe "joebreeves" Reeves is also a fan of this podcast.
- 28m45s | "jsilvrs"
Participating in the contest made Steven "jsilvrs" Silvers' visits to the site all the more enjoyable.
- 33m38s | "UnOrthOdOx"
He got anonymity, but didn'twant it: "UnOrthOdOx" accepts a challenge in the process.
- 39m56s | [Anonymous]
This winner of no fixed identity has experience with the Civ series before on the console as well as the PC.
Discuss This Feature | Stream This Feature | Mobile Quality Runtime: 46m:34s | Filesize: 22.3MB Release Date: July 23rd, 2008 Host: DanQ | Interviewees: Akash, Cybexx, Fadingbeano, joebreeves, jsilvers, UnOrthOdOx, [Anonymous]
Episode 48: Orange Jello's Just Too Powerful
- 03m24s | Interview
We speak with recent Novice play champion Ken "Carch" Baudicher about the Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword Tri-League Tournament in the first of a two-part interview.
- 13m21s | News
Six is the number of first patch previews for the stand-alone expansion Civilization IV: Colonization to be released for PCs this fall (one, two, three, four, five, six).
- 22m01s | Forum Talk
On Armoured units having their ability to inflict collateral damage removed in the new 3.17 patch for Beyond the Sword, and is the Barrage promotion indeed broken.
- 30m18s | Senate
Switching to the Free Religion civic as soon as it available and to research Feudalism or Engineering first.
Episode 47: Stranger Than Others
- 04m06s | News
The long awaited and anticipated Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword 3.17 patch has arrived and a Colonization sequel set in the Civ IV universe is announced.
- 18m39s | Senate
How to use the National Park National Wonder in Civ IV: BtS and when founding a religion, adopt immediately or wait.
- 24m23s | Forum Talk
What to have less of in future Civs, the BtS-introduced religious victory deemed too easy, the Khmer Ballista Elephant being the "crappiest" Unique Unit, an alternate effect for the Commando promotion and bringing back multi-level/layer maps to the series.
- 37m12s | Research Lab
The presence of thieves, bandits and other like units to increase pillaging's profitability.
Episode 46: Sound Effects
- 03m26s | News GameSpot releases the demo for Civilization: Revolution (discussion #1, #2 and #3), Electronic Arts extends their deadline on their offer for Take-Two Interactive and no Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword expansion expected for the Mac.
- 17m10s | Theatre Chris "Pinchak", Jon "CanuckSoldier" Ryder and Cartimandua relay recent Civ IV triumphs and disappointments.
- 23m39s | Forum Talk
The defensive bonus with culture in Civ IV is a sticking point for one of the co-hosts, and adding a limit on the era of Vassals.
- 30m23s | Research Lab Splitting civilizations in-game and the concept of a megaopolis.
- 38m35s | Senate
The importance of blockades in Civ IV with the BtS expansion.
Episode 45: Answer to Everything
- 03m26s | News Apple is now profiling Sid Meier.
- 05m17s | Research Lab
An argument for random religion by event, responding to a Corporate victory condition by listener request and reviewing some player wishlists for a Civilization V.
- 21m54s | Forum Talk
Considering the position that since the Beyond the Sword expansion, space sabotage is "outrageous" in Civilization IV.
- 25m46s | Senate
Countering archery units effectively and best offenses and defenses for nuclear weapons.
- 34m52s | Vault
The Christmas Special 2007 panelists relate their relatives' gameplay experiences with the Civilization franchise.
- 38m49s | Mailbag
Going over the first known mention of the podcast in print in a special Civ IV edition of a French-language strategy gaming magazine.
Focus: "Alpha Centauri" with 'DarkCloud', 'Darsnan', 'Hydro' and 'Maniac'
- 01m41s | Introductions
Introducing DarkCloud, Darsnan and Hydro. (Maniac joins in later.)
- 04m51s | Style
What is Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, (SMAC); game dislikes; how the co-hosts found SMAC; and an overview of the factions (including Alien Crossfire).
- 21m08s | Gameplay
Darsnan and assisting SMAC's Artificial Intelligence (AI), and generating Playing By Email (PBEM) games and scenarios; upgrading the game's acquatic elements; utilizing the conditioned response of players as an advantage; what to give the A.I. to start a game to help it out; and some key individuals in the SMAC community past and present.
- 39m10s | Fiction
Looking back on Michael Ely's SMAC triology; remembering both the Spartan Chronicles and the Chiron Chronicle; on the writing styles of Alinestra Covelia as seen in the story "Joe"; though its title is not recalled during the recording, Velociryx's Magnum Opus" is what is being referred to, written by Velociryx; the funny "Morgan Spy Tanning Lamps" by Elemental and "Santiago Claus" by Vi Vicdi.
Getting into "The Wizard of Chiron" by Raging Mouse; DarkCloud himself on his first and second "University Saga" and, his most proud work, heading "The Chrion Chronicle" which eventually gave birth to the "Beyond Alpha Centauri" spin-off; The most prolific SMAC fiction writer, Erik 'Hydro' Spande, on his more than thirty published stories; the premiere SMAC story index, the Chiron Archives compiled by Illuminatus (here's one: Mindworm Tales by Googlie); comparing Vel's to the official strategy guide for SMAC.
- 54m31s | Modding
The reknown Network Node factions; using FacEdit and scenarios; the "SMANIAC" MOD by Peter "Maniac" Steenbeke who himself talks about it; also from Maniac, the "Planetfall" MOD.
- 67m51s | Remarks Tuning in to PolyCast, the sense of SMAC community and the possibilities of a sequel for the game.
Episode 42: Mix It Up
- 03m07s | Forum Talk
Why build farms at all and why no 'building' Espionage in Civilization IV.
- 10m13s | Interview
Speaking to Bruce "Beta" Haynes about the Civ IVBeyond the Sword Democracy Game (BtSDG) about to get underway on Apolyton. The first of a two-parter, includes the greater history of DGs in the community.
- 16m28s | Research Lab
The case for a withdrawal equivalent for defense in the Civ series.
- 25m51s | Senate
What is a reasonable gift request and a new Top 10 list by request: Unique Units in Civ IV.
- 37m16s | Mailbag
Feedback o'plenty from Apolyton's 2008 April Fools joke, the launch of a third PolyCast podcast.
INFO: First appearance of Annalee "Cartimandua" Barney as temporary fourth regular co-host
Focus: "Civilization IV: War of Two Cities" with Floodgate and Oasys
- 01m01s | Introductions
Introducing our four interviewees: Rick Reymer, Vice President of Product Development (Oasys Mobile); Paul Neurath, Creative Director (Floodgate Entertainment); Scott Kimball, Lead Designer (Floodgate Entertainment); Jason Rice, Producer (Oasys Mobile).
- 06m10s | General
The impetus for Civilization IV: War of Two Cities, how it differs from previous mobile-Civ titles, its side-scrolling real-time strategy nature, how civilization borders work and conquest for victory.
- 15m06s | Technology
Advancing through the three different trees present (Military, Industrial, Agricultural), breadth and depth of progression, comparisons to Rise of Nations, prioritizing particular one branch over another (and the place of difficulty stages and settings).
- 21m48s | Setup
The make-up of WoTC maps and why games are only Human vs. Artificial Intelligence and not Human vs. Human too.
- 25m04s | Civilizations
The four civilizations that are in WoTC and the organization of their appearance, civilization-specific advantages, working with 2D graphics and how you could end up playing against yourself.
- 30m22s | Units
Projectile and army mechanics and the number of power bars on-screen, strategizing a particular type of warfare over another and the possible inclusion of water and air-based units in any WotC sequel.
- 39m48s | Availability
Hardware and subscription requirements to play WoTC, carrier availability and staggered release schedule including those and that outside of the United States.
- 43m47s | Storage
Saving, pausing and sharing WoTC games.
- 46m20s | Miscellaneous
Advice for breaking into the gaming industry, past exposure to PolyCast and interviewees' final thoughts.
Discuss This Feature | Stream This Feature | Mobile Quality Runtime: 52m:17s | Filesize: 24.5MB Release Date: April 08th, 2008 Hosts: DanQ, GarretSidzaka | Interviewees: Rick Reymer, Paul Neurath, Scott Kimbball, Jason Rice
TRIVIA: First audio interview on Civilization IV: War of Two Cities released
OTCast Episode 01: A Bit Chippy
- 02m14s | News [1 of 3]
Whether or not the splintering of Apolyton's "Off-Topic" forum was a good idea. Should the 'History', 'Technology' and 'Sports' sub-forums be folded back (or a combination thereof)? Then, the ever polarizing issue of the federal 2008 United States Election.
- 15m25s | Time Machine
Remembering the old days when the "Off-Topic" forum was divided into one for Civilization II and the other Civilization: Call to Power.
- 19m31s | Forum Talk [1 of 3]
he perpetual "how much does Calgary suck?" theme leads and four specific threads come next. "You've Come a Long Way Baby", "Poly Admin Has POLL...", "Pro golfer charged with animal cruelty" and "I invited a girl for supper...". Mention of "How is the economy?" threads follows.
- 22m05s | Mailbag
Guessing the name of a movie that a particular co-host put to the Apolyton community (hint #2, #3 and #4).
- 23m25s | News [2 of 3]
The heated debate over private schools in California and buying titles in Sealand. Striking down blasphemy laws in then raised.
- 29m55s | Forum Talk [2 of 3]
Amongst other oddities, how and why in the world would this show be claimed in the name of the Governor General of Canada.
- 36m03s | News [3 of 3]
Many German soliders are too fat with reference to an apparent end of cheap food.
- 39m27s | Forum Talk [3 of 3]
The creativity of OT thread titles such as "Drunkithreadi I" and in usernames too including how 'notyoueither' came about.
Episode 39: No Sarcasm There at All
- 04m06s | News Electronic Arts says that they'll buyTake-Two Interactive, but are told maybe later. Then there's the making ofCivilization IVwith Lead Designer Soren Johnson.
- 14m10s | Forum Talk
A greater use for Artillery, particularly defensively, is explored prompted by a listener's suggestion, what to do about the Stealth Destroyer the Civ IV expansion Beyond the Sword introduced, and addressing the obsolescence of Castles in-game.
- 26m35s | Research Lab
What allure do civilization-specific events hold.
- 30m36s | Senate
Is it necessary to improve every tile and does razing make Civ games too easy.
Focus: "Civilization: Revolution" with Elizabeth '2K Elizabeth' Tobey
- 01m03s | Introduction
Who Elizabeth is and her own description of CivRev; comparing and contrasting the other communities she manages; following up on a previous podcast interview, contact with the CivRev development team, and what it's like to work on a title in her favourite gaming series.
- 16m07s | Reception
The uphill battle CivRev is fighting in the PC Civ community (or not), the link(s) between CivRev and its PC brethren, and is there still room for community building outside of closed networks on the Internet.
- 23m02s | General
Reviewing single player rivals and AI in multiplayer, the issue of an open play mode, Nintendo DS details including save games, and gazing towards the anticipated CivRev demo.
- 29m51s | Multiplayer
Going over multiplayer options in general and then how that will work on the DS specifically.
- 32m38s | Modding
No level editor in CivRev, but what of a WorldBuilder or XML/SDK a la Civilization IV?
- 33m55s | Industry
Being a woman in an field dominated by men, are online gaming communities too male-dominated, advice to women or anyone wanting to break into the gaming industry for that matter, and on meeting Sid Meier in person for the first time.
- 42m09s | Miscellaneous
How Elizabeth came to find Apolyton and what took her so long afterwards to register and post on the forums, her own podcast venture, PolyCast listening experience and anything else of interest not yet covered.
TRIVIA: First production with guest from a game publisher
Episode 38: This One Time, in Band Camp
- 04m04s | News
A preview of Civilization: Revolutionon theXbox360 platform.
- 09m34s | Forum Talk
Going over the unofficial 3.13 patch for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword at length and why some human players want to be a vassal too.
- 21m56s | Senate
Being a technology whore, the merits of Harbours in every coastal city and the zany application of a thief economoy.
- 32m36s | Research Lab
A place for natural wonders that's more a la Civ Rev than CivIV: BtS's random events.
- 38m15s | Theatre
Reincarnated segment an opportunity for co-hosts to talk about a recent (Civ IV) gameplay experience, Michael and Dan do just that.
Episode 35: By Popular Request
- 06m05s | News
How the Civilization series is "Wreaking Havoc" on our Children's Education, and an American university professor teaching a part of Roman history "The Civilized Way" -- with a CivIV scenario, that is.
- 14m51s | Forum Talk
We rank our favourite CivIVFavourite Traits and Leaders for builders, warmongers and different approaches to each, and criticize some alternate traits just as their author requested.
- 35m54s | Mailbag
Responding to the high volume and quality feedback for the Feedbackon 2007 Christmas Special.
